Public Works as a Productive Safety Net in a Post-Conflict Setting : Evidence from a Randomized Evaluation in Sierra Leone

Rosas, Nina ; Sabarwal, Shwetlena

World Bank, Washington, DC

关键词: HOUSEHOLD INCOMES;    COMMUNITIES;    SOCIAL COHESION;    DURABLE GOODS;    SAFETY NET;   

DOI  :  10.1596/1813-9450-7580
RP-ID  :  WPS7580

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: World Bank Open Knowledge Repository

【 摘 要 】

This paper examines the short-termimpacts of a labor-intensive public works program onhousehold welfare and economic prospects. Using acommunity-level randomized control trial approach, the paperfinds that the public works program targeted at youth inSierra Leone successfully provided temporary employment toyouth characterized by low educational attainment. Cashincome among program participants increased by nearly threetimes relative to the control counterparts, and treatmenthouseholds experienced a 29 percent rise in monthly income.There is also evidence of significant re-optimization ofhousehold labor allocation and expenditure in response toprogram participation. First, there is an overallcrowding-in of labor force participation by householdmembers beyond program participation. Second, the extraincome is spent partly to improve the quality of life andpartly to secure future earnings. The treated householdsraised spending on food, medicines, and assets. They alsoexpanded utilization of health services. Meanwhile, theconsumption of temptation goods was greater, albeit by asmall amount, and the rate of absenteeism among students washigher. To secure future earnings, the treated householdsset up new businesses: they were nearly four times morelikely than the control households to set up new householdenterprises. They also boosted their participation ininformal savings groups and their investments in their homesand existing businesses. These results demonstrate thatpublic works interventions have considerable potential asproductive safety nets in post-conflict settings such asSierra Leone. They can provide immediate income support, butalso open avenues for investment in the productive capacityof poor households.